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Attending: Barb Rainville, Brian Goodro, Elwin Isham, Les Tracy, Lance Lattrell, Ann Kensek

Barb called the meeting to order at 7pm.

Selectboard Officers were appointed.  Brian moved to appoint Barb the Chair of the Board and Barb moved to appoint Elwin the Clerk. Votes were called and passed.

• Les brought the Feb.  Report for the Road Crew.


• The Selectboard read some positive comments from residents for the road crew, including “outstanding maintenance”.


• Discussion on sanding on the gravel portion of Downingsville and reports on members of the road crew.


• Elwin suggested the Selectboard review the job description and condense it before the fiscal year changes. The Board asked Les how they can help him. Discussion on part-time help as needed in storms.


• Barb suggested having reviews for the Road Crew, and the Board discussed timing of the reviews.


• Further discussion on Road Crew hours during storms. Les said he doesn’t ask more from the crew than he is willing to do. Discussion on solutions- possibly hold a Storm Review Meeting to talk about what works and what doesn’t.


• The ’04 truck has a problem that needs to be addressed. It’s okay for now. $7,200 repairs -needed $1,700 labor and the rest for parts. Discussion on fixing the truck at the Town Garage vs. bringing it to Sheldon’s. It makes sense to do it at Sheldon’s for certification, inspection, etc. The quote may go up by the time they can bring the truck in.


• The backhoe is still in for repairs. Further discussion on repairs and costs.


• The grader is working fine. It will have new tires after July 1. New Haven Tire will do the work.


• Discussion on yesterday’s big storm (March 7). The snow was very heavy to push.


• Barb had a call from a finance company that needs to get an excavator at a residence on York Hill Road. The bridge is not good for heavy equipment. The Selectboard will direct them to the safest way to go. Soon mud will be an issue.


• Discussion on posting roads for mud season.


• Barb spoke with Jack at Pike’s and told him there will be some paving on Quaker Street and to get his suggestions. They did not talk money. After the frost settles down Downingsville and the Gap Road will need crack repair.


• Discussion on the potholes on the Zeno Bridge. Les put some cold patch in.


• Town Meeting- Les and the Road Crew are unhappy with the lack of raises this year in light of the Clerk’s raise. Discussion on ways to compensate appropriately.


• Les would like to limit Comp time. Employees sometimes take it when they are needed. The Selectboard can address limiting Comp time and require it to be preapproved. The Board asked for suggestions from Les. It was agreed that it should be the jurisdiction of the person who is in charge based on the knowledge of upcoming work.


• Les looked into getting a cell phone. He’s not asking for the full amount to be covered. Elwin moved to authorize Les $20.  a month  toward a cell phone. Discussion on what plan, etc. Elwin will work with Les to set it up. Brian seconded motion, further discussion. Vote called and passed. Barb will terminate the pager Les has been using.


• Salt- almost $10,000 than expected.


• Class 2 paving request for line striping- Barb will call them.


• Unifirst- They called Barb She said they seem clueless about what has happened and that the person who signed the e contract apparently did not have the authority. Barb restated to them that we had given notice, etc. and told them we would not be paying.


• Mailboxes- People need to shovel out by their mailboxes. Discussion on damaged mailbox on Quaker Street. The Selectboard traditionally has a policy of paying $50. Ann will draft a note to the resident to be sent with a check.

Lance Lattrell:

• Elwin gave Lance a copy of the volunteer waiver for the Transfer Station. He said there should be a description of Lance’s job and Mike’s job as well, and that copies of insurance forms and a first –aid kit should be on site at the Landfill. Elwin said that most towns ask that gloves be worn at all times and most towns pay for them.  He suggested that the Town pay for four pairs a year per person.


• Lance said he wants to build a new ramp with rails on both sides for the recycling.


• Discussion on what Lance does when people bring needles in their recycling.


• Discussion on how to clear area out. There are barrels of oil. Different people in town have wanted used oil in the past. Lance has to get rid of it. Les will send the loader up.


• A Martell Road resident isn’t bringing his trash to the dump and is piling it up at his house. Discussion on what can be done. The Zoning Administrator can issue a violation. Bob Hall will be asked to pay the resident a visit.


• Lance said Mike Cram is working out well and that they have talked about Mike being careful walking in the bin.


• Elwin clarified what the volunteers do- they help unload cars and keep the area neat. Having four people working helps things go smoothly.


• The brush pile and lumber pile will be burned later this spring. Discussion on setting up a concrete or dirt bunker for burnables. Lance will let the Fire Warden know when he is going to do a burn.


• There was a complaint from a resident that a volunteer at the dump put unwanted articles in his car.  Lance will talk to the volunteer and let him know the Selectboard will ask him to leave if he does not stop doing that.


• Elwin will work on getting papers together to have for the next meeting.


• Lance affirmed he is not retiring any time soon.


• When it is slippery at the dump Lance should call Les.


• Discussion on recycling pick up at the dump.

Other Business:

• Follow-up on Lincoln Applied Geology and the Landfill. Barb has not heard back from them.


• Moody Road- the Town does not own it so they don’t plow it. Bull Run is also not a public road.


• ACRPC letter for study on sidewalk/bike path grant – Elwin’s motion was to add six feet in width to the Truchon Bridge at the Road level. The Selectboard does not want a raised sidewalk because of the increase in time and expense required for upkeep. Ann will give the letter to Sally to amend before the board will sign it.


• The AOT Bridge #19 (Truchon Bridge) agreement was read. Discussion on expenses, including the school bond. Discussion on the culvert at the school. The Board agreed that if work needs to be done to accommodate the changes in the school’s parking area the school will pay for it, not the Town.


• Elwin motioned to accept the Finance and Maintenance Agreement   for Bridge #19 otherwise known as Truchon Bridge. No discussion, vote called and passed. Les asked if there would be more meetings before the bridge work is done.


• The Certificate of Highway Mileage request for more information was discussed. Ann will try to find the requested information.


• The Request for Authorization of Additional Classification and Rate for the Burnham Window Retrofit Project was signed.


• The Tenney Acknowledgement of Receipt for Charlotte was signed and notarized.


• Discussion on the Elder Hill ditching grant.


• Barb talked with James Robideau about the Fire Department washing bridges and flushing culverts and received a positive response.


• Discussion on having a base radio at the Town Garage. Les will talk with Sally about the radio in the safe that Don Mayo used to use.


• Discussion on the Champlain Valley Plumbing and Heating Annual Service Check-up. The order will be pulled that details the work they just did and the discussion will resume at the next meeting.


• Lights at the Town Office- Elwin moved to replace all the lights in the Town Office at a cost of $621,  to be done by Chris Griggs. Discussion. Brian seconded. Efficiency Vermont grant discussed, vote called and passed.


• Pay rate for childcare for Town Meeting was discussed: Two people for four hours, 16 children plus planning time.  Brian moved to pay $100 for childcare for Town Meeting, Barb seconded, vote called and passed.


• Addison County Humane Society Contract- Brian moved to accept the contract option #2 for $500 for the year. Barb signed the contract and Ann will give it to Larry.


• Sally’s list of costs from the bond vote was reviewed. The school has been invoiced.


• Discussion on amending the 3/17/09 motion to change the Selectboard pay from calendar year, to Town Meeting Election to Town Meeting Election day in order to simplify payment process. Brian motioned to  change the Selectboard  payment period from the calendar year to  a March to March pay period, retroactive through last year. Barb seconded, vote called and passed.


• The VLCT packet was reviewed and the content discussed. Ann will put it in the Insurance Folder.


• CVPS Update- They’ll go through the woods on Atkins Road.


• Brian moved to  appoint/reappoint the following:



Emergency Manager- Dave Harrison
Fence Viewers- Howard Grimes, Steve Halnon and Mark Truax
Inspector of Lumber- Dan Adam
Tree Warden- Gerald (Beanie) Masterson
Inspector of Coal- Liam Sipsey
Vote called and passed.

• Elwin will check on whether the Energy Co-coordinators are appointed by the Selectboard.


• Ann will send to the email list a request for volunteers for two Assistant Emergency Coordinators and two Solid Waste Delegates.


• Job descriptions for the road crew were discussed.


• Orders were signed and correspondences gone through.


• Selectboard Institute workshops and other Selectboard Trainings were discussed.


• Heavy Weight permits were signed.


• Discussion on trailers at the school and the Town Office.


• Barb moved to approve the minutes of the Feb. 15th meeting, motion called and passed.


• Barb said she suggested to James Robideau to list he houses that fire and rescue can’t get to and let the homeowners know.


• Discussion on  future Town Newsletter and subjects for articles- subjects like why the Town gets/needs new trucks, what the Selectboard is doing, highlights of meetings, upcoming  fees and obligations like dump stickers and dog lic., construction on roads, etc.


• Meeting was adjourned at 10:30.

Minutes taken by Ann Kensek